Even looking past the cold, hard fact that you can’t spot reduce fat, you may not even be working the muscles you think you are! Check out this slideshow that reveals the 5 most useless gym exercise machines and what exercises you can be doing instead! Image via Carly Pizzani The Hip Abduction Machine (aka the “outer thigh” machine) is just not functional — you aren’t going to need to push a heavy weight away with your outer thigh when sitting down. Also, because of the seated position, what’s doing a lot of the work in this exercise is the piriformis, a small, deep muscle that sits right on top of your sciatic nerve. If this muscle gets overdeveloped, you could experience a lot of pain as a result. Also being strengthened and tightened is the connective tissue in your outer thigh called the Iliotibial (IT) Band. This is usually already tight in most people, and the tighter it gets, the more likely you are to experience sharp pain on the outside of your knees. What to do instead: Lateral lunges or lateral step-ups are great for strengthening the muscles on the outside of your hip and thigh. Bonus: you’ll be utilizing more muscles overall simply by being in a standing position. The Adductor muscles on your inner thighs are connected to your Patellofemoral ligament, and when you add weight to a seated adduction exercise like this, it’s like you’re training to get Patellofemoral Syndrome, which is more commonly known as Runner’s Knee. If you’ve never experienced it, it’s like a constant ache right behind your kneecap, which can become incredibly painful. What to do instead: Try Sumo Squats (or Plié Squats) — same as a regular squat, but with your feet wide and angled out slightly. What to do instead: Stability ball crunches. Sit on a stability ball, then walk your feet out until your lower back is on top of the ball. With hands behind your head or crossed in front of your chest, raise and lower your upper body. What to do instead: Along with stability ball crunches, a great exercise for your abdominals that you can do anywhere is the plank. Facedown on a mat, resting on your forearms and the balls of your feet, hold yourself in a straight line with abdominals tight, for as long as you can (try to work up to a minute). What to do instead: Standing calf raises! Doing this exercise standing ensures all the muscles of your calf are working. Tip: your calf also gets a workout when doing squats and lunges!
title: “5 Useless Gym Exercise Machines What To Do Instead Photos " ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-23” author: “David Roth”
Even looking past the cold, hard fact that you can’t spot reduce fat, you may not even be working the muscles you think you are! Check out this slideshow that reveals the 5 most useless gym exercise machines and what exercises you can be doing instead! Image via Carly Pizzani The Hip Abduction Machine (aka the “outer thigh” machine) is just not functional — you aren’t going to need to push a heavy weight away with your outer thigh when sitting down. Also, because of the seated position, what’s doing a lot of the work in this exercise is the piriformis, a small, deep muscle that sits right on top of your sciatic nerve. If this muscle gets overdeveloped, you could experience a lot of pain as a result. Also being strengthened and tightened is the connective tissue in your outer thigh called the Iliotibial (IT) Band. This is usually already tight in most people, and the tighter it gets, the more likely you are to experience sharp pain on the outside of your knees. What to do instead: Lateral lunges or lateral step-ups are great for strengthening the muscles on the outside of your hip and thigh. Bonus: you’ll be utilizing more muscles overall simply by being in a standing position. The Adductor muscles on your inner thighs are connected to your Patellofemoral ligament, and when you add weight to a seated adduction exercise like this, it’s like you’re training to get Patellofemoral Syndrome, which is more commonly known as Runner’s Knee. If you’ve never experienced it, it’s like a constant ache right behind your kneecap, which can become incredibly painful. What to do instead: Try Sumo Squats (or Plié Squats) — same as a regular squat, but with your feet wide and angled out slightly. What to do instead: Stability ball crunches. Sit on a stability ball, then walk your feet out until your lower back is on top of the ball. With hands behind your head or crossed in front of your chest, raise and lower your upper body. What to do instead: Along with stability ball crunches, a great exercise for your abdominals that you can do anywhere is the plank. Facedown on a mat, resting on your forearms and the balls of your feet, hold yourself in a straight line with abdominals tight, for as long as you can (try to work up to a minute). What to do instead: Standing calf raises! Doing this exercise standing ensures all the muscles of your calf are working. Tip: your calf also gets a workout when doing squats and lunges!
title: “5 Useless Gym Exercise Machines What To Do Instead Photos " ShowToc: true date: “2024-08-27” author: “Bradley Clemons”
Even looking past the cold, hard fact that you can’t spot reduce fat, you may not even be working the muscles you think you are! Check out this slideshow that reveals the 5 most useless gym exercise machines and what exercises you can be doing instead! Image via Carly Pizzani The Hip Abduction Machine (aka the “outer thigh” machine) is just not functional — you aren’t going to need to push a heavy weight away with your outer thigh when sitting down. Also, because of the seated position, what’s doing a lot of the work in this exercise is the piriformis, a small, deep muscle that sits right on top of your sciatic nerve. If this muscle gets overdeveloped, you could experience a lot of pain as a result. Also being strengthened and tightened is the connective tissue in your outer thigh called the Iliotibial (IT) Band. This is usually already tight in most people, and the tighter it gets, the more likely you are to experience sharp pain on the outside of your knees. What to do instead: Lateral lunges or lateral step-ups are great for strengthening the muscles on the outside of your hip and thigh. Bonus: you’ll be utilizing more muscles overall simply by being in a standing position. The Adductor muscles on your inner thighs are connected to your Patellofemoral ligament, and when you add weight to a seated adduction exercise like this, it’s like you’re training to get Patellofemoral Syndrome, which is more commonly known as Runner’s Knee. If you’ve never experienced it, it’s like a constant ache right behind your kneecap, which can become incredibly painful. What to do instead: Try Sumo Squats (or Plié Squats) — same as a regular squat, but with your feet wide and angled out slightly. What to do instead: Stability ball crunches. Sit on a stability ball, then walk your feet out until your lower back is on top of the ball. With hands behind your head or crossed in front of your chest, raise and lower your upper body. What to do instead: Along with stability ball crunches, a great exercise for your abdominals that you can do anywhere is the plank. Facedown on a mat, resting on your forearms and the balls of your feet, hold yourself in a straight line with abdominals tight, for as long as you can (try to work up to a minute). What to do instead: Standing calf raises! Doing this exercise standing ensures all the muscles of your calf are working. Tip: your calf also gets a workout when doing squats and lunges!
title: “5 Useless Gym Exercise Machines What To Do Instead Photos " ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-02” author: “Michael Johnson”
Even looking past the cold, hard fact that you can’t spot reduce fat, you may not even be working the muscles you think you are! Check out this slideshow that reveals the 5 most useless gym exercise machines and what exercises you can be doing instead! Image via Carly Pizzani The Hip Abduction Machine (aka the “outer thigh” machine) is just not functional — you aren’t going to need to push a heavy weight away with your outer thigh when sitting down. Also, because of the seated position, what’s doing a lot of the work in this exercise is the piriformis, a small, deep muscle that sits right on top of your sciatic nerve. If this muscle gets overdeveloped, you could experience a lot of pain as a result. Also being strengthened and tightened is the connective tissue in your outer thigh called the Iliotibial (IT) Band. This is usually already tight in most people, and the tighter it gets, the more likely you are to experience sharp pain on the outside of your knees. What to do instead: Lateral lunges or lateral step-ups are great for strengthening the muscles on the outside of your hip and thigh. Bonus: you’ll be utilizing more muscles overall simply by being in a standing position. The Adductor muscles on your inner thighs are connected to your Patellofemoral ligament, and when you add weight to a seated adduction exercise like this, it’s like you’re training to get Patellofemoral Syndrome, which is more commonly known as Runner’s Knee. If you’ve never experienced it, it’s like a constant ache right behind your kneecap, which can become incredibly painful. What to do instead: Try Sumo Squats (or Plié Squats) — same as a regular squat, but with your feet wide and angled out slightly. What to do instead: Stability ball crunches. Sit on a stability ball, then walk your feet out until your lower back is on top of the ball. With hands behind your head or crossed in front of your chest, raise and lower your upper body. What to do instead: Along with stability ball crunches, a great exercise for your abdominals that you can do anywhere is the plank. Facedown on a mat, resting on your forearms and the balls of your feet, hold yourself in a straight line with abdominals tight, for as long as you can (try to work up to a minute). What to do instead: Standing calf raises! Doing this exercise standing ensures all the muscles of your calf are working. Tip: your calf also gets a workout when doing squats and lunges!
title: “5 Useless Gym Exercise Machines What To Do Instead Photos " ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-27” author: “Walter Guers”
Even looking past the cold, hard fact that you can’t spot reduce fat, you may not even be working the muscles you think you are! Check out this slideshow that reveals the 5 most useless gym exercise machines and what exercises you can be doing instead! Image via Carly Pizzani The Hip Abduction Machine (aka the “outer thigh” machine) is just not functional — you aren’t going to need to push a heavy weight away with your outer thigh when sitting down. Also, because of the seated position, what’s doing a lot of the work in this exercise is the piriformis, a small, deep muscle that sits right on top of your sciatic nerve. If this muscle gets overdeveloped, you could experience a lot of pain as a result. Also being strengthened and tightened is the connective tissue in your outer thigh called the Iliotibial (IT) Band. This is usually already tight in most people, and the tighter it gets, the more likely you are to experience sharp pain on the outside of your knees. What to do instead: Lateral lunges or lateral step-ups are great for strengthening the muscles on the outside of your hip and thigh. Bonus: you’ll be utilizing more muscles overall simply by being in a standing position. The Adductor muscles on your inner thighs are connected to your Patellofemoral ligament, and when you add weight to a seated adduction exercise like this, it’s like you’re training to get Patellofemoral Syndrome, which is more commonly known as Runner’s Knee. If you’ve never experienced it, it’s like a constant ache right behind your kneecap, which can become incredibly painful. What to do instead: Try Sumo Squats (or Plié Squats) — same as a regular squat, but with your feet wide and angled out slightly. What to do instead: Stability ball crunches. Sit on a stability ball, then walk your feet out until your lower back is on top of the ball. With hands behind your head or crossed in front of your chest, raise and lower your upper body. What to do instead: Along with stability ball crunches, a great exercise for your abdominals that you can do anywhere is the plank. Facedown on a mat, resting on your forearms and the balls of your feet, hold yourself in a straight line with abdominals tight, for as long as you can (try to work up to a minute). What to do instead: Standing calf raises! Doing this exercise standing ensures all the muscles of your calf are working. Tip: your calf also gets a workout when doing squats and lunges!
title: “5 Useless Gym Exercise Machines What To Do Instead Photos " ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-20” author: “Lawrence Coddington”
Even looking past the cold, hard fact that you can’t spot reduce fat, you may not even be working the muscles you think you are! Check out this slideshow that reveals the 5 most useless gym exercise machines and what exercises you can be doing instead! Image via Carly Pizzani The Hip Abduction Machine (aka the “outer thigh” machine) is just not functional — you aren’t going to need to push a heavy weight away with your outer thigh when sitting down. Also, because of the seated position, what’s doing a lot of the work in this exercise is the piriformis, a small, deep muscle that sits right on top of your sciatic nerve. If this muscle gets overdeveloped, you could experience a lot of pain as a result. Also being strengthened and tightened is the connective tissue in your outer thigh called the Iliotibial (IT) Band. This is usually already tight in most people, and the tighter it gets, the more likely you are to experience sharp pain on the outside of your knees. What to do instead: Lateral lunges or lateral step-ups are great for strengthening the muscles on the outside of your hip and thigh. Bonus: you’ll be utilizing more muscles overall simply by being in a standing position. The Adductor muscles on your inner thighs are connected to your Patellofemoral ligament, and when you add weight to a seated adduction exercise like this, it’s like you’re training to get Patellofemoral Syndrome, which is more commonly known as Runner’s Knee. If you’ve never experienced it, it’s like a constant ache right behind your kneecap, which can become incredibly painful. What to do instead: Try Sumo Squats (or Plié Squats) — same as a regular squat, but with your feet wide and angled out slightly. What to do instead: Stability ball crunches. Sit on a stability ball, then walk your feet out until your lower back is on top of the ball. With hands behind your head or crossed in front of your chest, raise and lower your upper body. What to do instead: Along with stability ball crunches, a great exercise for your abdominals that you can do anywhere is the plank. Facedown on a mat, resting on your forearms and the balls of your feet, hold yourself in a straight line with abdominals tight, for as long as you can (try to work up to a minute). What to do instead: Standing calf raises! Doing this exercise standing ensures all the muscles of your calf are working. Tip: your calf also gets a workout when doing squats and lunges!
title: “5 Useless Gym Exercise Machines What To Do Instead Photos " ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-30” author: “Jeffery Beck”
Even looking past the cold, hard fact that you can’t spot reduce fat, you may not even be working the muscles you think you are! Check out this slideshow that reveals the 5 most useless gym exercise machines and what exercises you can be doing instead! Image via Carly Pizzani The Hip Abduction Machine (aka the “outer thigh” machine) is just not functional — you aren’t going to need to push a heavy weight away with your outer thigh when sitting down. Also, because of the seated position, what’s doing a lot of the work in this exercise is the piriformis, a small, deep muscle that sits right on top of your sciatic nerve. If this muscle gets overdeveloped, you could experience a lot of pain as a result. Also being strengthened and tightened is the connective tissue in your outer thigh called the Iliotibial (IT) Band. This is usually already tight in most people, and the tighter it gets, the more likely you are to experience sharp pain on the outside of your knees. What to do instead: Lateral lunges or lateral step-ups are great for strengthening the muscles on the outside of your hip and thigh. Bonus: you’ll be utilizing more muscles overall simply by being in a standing position. The Adductor muscles on your inner thighs are connected to your Patellofemoral ligament, and when you add weight to a seated adduction exercise like this, it’s like you’re training to get Patellofemoral Syndrome, which is more commonly known as Runner’s Knee. If you’ve never experienced it, it’s like a constant ache right behind your kneecap, which can become incredibly painful. What to do instead: Try Sumo Squats (or Plié Squats) — same as a regular squat, but with your feet wide and angled out slightly. What to do instead: Stability ball crunches. Sit on a stability ball, then walk your feet out until your lower back is on top of the ball. With hands behind your head or crossed in front of your chest, raise and lower your upper body. What to do instead: Along with stability ball crunches, a great exercise for your abdominals that you can do anywhere is the plank. Facedown on a mat, resting on your forearms and the balls of your feet, hold yourself in a straight line with abdominals tight, for as long as you can (try to work up to a minute). What to do instead: Standing calf raises! Doing this exercise standing ensures all the muscles of your calf are working. Tip: your calf also gets a workout when doing squats and lunges!
